Attractions In Florida's Citrus Capitals

Citrus County, named for the local fruit varieties that thrive here, is a waterside county on the Gulf of Mexico. Its population approaches 150,000 residents in Central Florida.

The original economic base of the county was, as expected, citrus growing.

The citrus production industry is vital to this day, with the largest citrus grove being Bellamy Grove (established in 1930), which also produces a variety of high quality vegetables. Fresh fruits and vegetables every day!

Other foundations of the economic base here include retail sales and service, healthcare services, retirement habitation, tourism, and food service.

Inverness and surrounding towns have Scottish names in honor of early settlers and landowners in this region.

The area is home to many varsities of native plants, wild flowers and wildlife that includes at least 55 different species of butterflies. visitors can see many of these plants and animals along the many hike-bike trails in this part of Citrus County, because Inverness is considered a major trail hub of 46 miles of developed trails.

• A yearly Manatee Festival (January) and the Floral City Strawberry Festival (March) are sponsored by Citrus County. both are in Downtown Chrystal River, Florida.
• Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge - The US Fish and Wildlife Service established this protected area in 1941. It covers over 31,000 acres of saltwater bays, estuaries, marshes at end of the Chassahowitzka River. The refuge sponsors designated hunting and fishing seasons in which safety procedures must be carried out by visitors. A Weeki Wachee Swamp Fest is sponsored in March, Fishing Week in June, and a Boat Parade in December. 1502 SE Kings Bay Dr., Crystal River FL 34429.
• Citrus County Speedway - This race track offers events in a dozen different classes of vehicles on a totally renovated track, seating, and surrounding areas. Visit them at 3600 S Florida Ave, Inverness FL 34450.

• Ellie Schiller Homassa Springs Wildlife Park. 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd. Homosassa FL 34446. This site includes a rescue center for the endangered West Indian Manatee and an underwater wildlife observatory. On the Wildlife Walk, you can see bald eagles as well as flamingos, alligators. and black bears.

Withlacoochee State Forest and Park - This state protected area offers visitors great cleans waterways along the Withlacoochee River, Little Withlacoochee River, and Jumper Creek that extend at least 13 miles. Bird watching and wildlife viewing are favorite past times of area residents and visitors alike. Native plants and trees are eye-popping!

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park and Picnic Area - Homosassa. FL 34448. This interesting piece of American history was once the thriving sugar plantation of David Levy Yulee, who long ago served in the US House of Representatives and Senate. The sugar mill ran from about 1850 throughout the American Civil War, supplying Confederate troops with sugar.

• Lakeside Golf & Country Club - 4555 East Windmill Drive, Inverness FL 34453.
• Take your dog to Bark Central Dog Park - 6301 Turner Camp Rd, Inverness FL 34453.
• Valerie Theatre - 207 Courthouse Square, Inverness FL 34450.

HOMOSASSA SPRINGS

This is the community that names the labor-market statistical area for the whole county - Homosassa Springs Statistical Market. It is also a popular vacationer's destination according to many website discussion forums. One of the major attractions is Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, which draws many manatees to the location.

The numbers of jobs listed across the Internet for Homosassa Springs has been steady from 2009 through 2011, with approximately 1,000 openings within a 10-mile radius and 5,000 within 25 miles. The jobs listed most often include licensed healthcare positions, customer service and sales, and engineering.

INVERNESS

This city is the county seat of Citrus County. Over 5,500 jobs are listed for a 25-mile radius of Inverness in August 2011. The USAF is a major employer in this area, as well as HCA healthcare; Licensed healthcare positions are frequently in high demand, along with some retail sales and management jobs and casual dining jobs.

CRYSTAL RIVER and FLORAL CITY

These towns enjoy similar job access as does Inverness, with the addition of some jobs in truck driving and local youth programming types of positions.

BEVERLY HILLS and CITRUS SPRINGS

These communities have similar access to USAF healthcare jobs, healthcare positions at several hospitals and clinics, sales and service at electronics superstores, and engineering and technical positions through staffing agencies like Search One, All About Staffing, Spherion, and others.

With over a decade of successful experience in working with state and local workforce development agencies, I recommend the Citrus County Area One Stop Job Shop, which offers practical and effective employment solutions for the counties of Citrus, Levy, and Marion.

Job search counseling, resources for independent job searching, and a variety of programs and training courses at the One Stop in each county have proven successful in placing job seekers into living-wage jobs for many years.

1. Dollar General and Family Dollar Stores - Management and Salespeople
2. Winn-Dixie Retail Groceries
3. R.E. Garrison - CDL Truck Drivers and related jobs
4. Key Training Center
5. CVS Health and Pharmacy
6. Oak Hill Hospital - Spring Hill, Florida
7. Bayfront Health in Brooksville
8. Citrus Memorial Hospital
9. Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center
10. Advance Auto Parts - Sales and Service
11. PetSmart - SAles and Management jobs
12. Food Places - Sonic, McDonalds, Checkers (Rally's)

THE ABLE TRUST

The Able Trust an organization founded to help anyone that wants to work. Its website is located here and serves people throughout the state of Florida. There is even a link for Little People, along with sites for the visually impaired, deaf, and many other special needs groups.

• The Dream Society in Inverness, Citrus County on the the directory of The Able Trust serves people with a variety of physical conditions.
• Citrus Hearing Impaired Program Services, Inc is located in Crystal River. Phone number: 352-795-5000.
• Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida: Independence. -- Services for the disabled that want to work and live independently.

• Barry University
• Beacon College
• College of Central Florida's Citrus Campus
• CF Theater Programs
• Keiser University‎
• Liberty Bible College and Seminary
• Pasco-Hernando State College
• Rasmussen University
• St. Leo University
• Webster University
• Withlacoochee Technical Institute